It is not a split, it is ‘policy deliberation’: Anwar cools talk of ministry feud over budgets

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim clarified that differences in opinions between ministries are part of policy discussions and do not signify a governmental split.

He emphasized that such deliberations consider each ministry's priorities and are aimed at effectively implementing the MADANI Government's agenda.

Anwar assured that all government policies require thorough consultation and Cabinet approval, following the principle of collective Cabinet responsibility.

This statement came after public concern over alleged overspending by the Rural and Regional Development Ministry, which was addressed by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who refuted the overspending claims.

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 5 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said differences of views between ministries do not necessarily reflect a split in the government but are part of policy deliberation, with matters needing a collective decision go to the Cabinet.

Anwar was replying in the Dewan Rakyat to Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin (Larut). Hamzah had asked whether an open contradiction between the Finance Ministry and the Rural and Regional Development Ministry showed a split in the government, and who determines its official position.

“The government wishes to stress that differences of views or approach between ministries do not necessarily reflect a split in the government,” Anwar said without naming either ministry or the specific matter in his reply.

“Rather, they are part of the process of discussion and policy deliberation, which takes into account each ministry’s responsibilities, jurisdiction and priorities, so that the MADANI Government’s agenda can be implemented effectively.”

The PM said the government ensures orderly coordination between ministries to keep policy consistent and avoid overlapping functions. He said every decision is made on the basis of the people’s interests, national development priorities and the government’s financial capacity.

On who decides the official position, Anwar said every government policy and decision must go through proper deliberation and coordination. He said matters requiring a collective decision are brought to the Cabinet for consideration and agreement, in line with the principle of collective Cabinet responsibility.

Anwar added that the government monitors economic performance continuously, using current data and indicators, to assess how well policies are working. He said this is also to keep strengthening the economy’s resilience against global uncertainty. He said the government will keep strengthening cooperation between ministries and monitor each initiative so that decisions deliver tangible and sustainable results.

The question follows a public disagreement over spending at the Rural and Regional Development Ministry, which is led by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Zahid has rejected claims the ministry overspent by RM2.1 billion. Winding up the Budget 2027 debate on Oct 26, he said it spent RM6.108 billion from 2023 to 2025 against a revised allocation of RM6.143 billion, and had in fact underspent.

The issue drew attention after Zahid raised concern over delayed payments to contractors on ministry projects, saying some had been forced to stop operations because of cash flow problems.

Treasury secretary-general Datuk Seri Johan Mahmood Merican later attributed the delays to the ministry’s spending commitments, noting that most of this year’s allocation for rural road projects had already been used.

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首相拿督斯里安华·易卜拉欣澄清说，各部委之间的意见分歧属于政策讨论的范畴，并不代表政府分裂。

他强调，此类审议会考虑各部委的优先事项，旨在有效落实马达尼政府的议程。

安华保证，所有政府政策都需要经过充分磋商和内阁批准，遵循内阁集体责任原则。

此前，公众对农村及区域发展部涉嫌超支表示担忧，副首相拿督斯里阿末扎希博士对此予以驳斥。

吉隆坡，11月5日讯——首相拿督斯里安华·易卜拉欣表示，各部委之间的意见分歧并不一定反映政府内部的分裂，而是政策审议的一部分，需要集体决定的事项将提交内阁讨论。

安华在国会下议院答复反对党领袖拿督斯里韩沙再努丁（拉鲁特）的提问。韩沙质问，财政部和乡村及区域发展部之间公开的矛盾是否表明政府内部存在分裂，以及政府的官方立场究竟由谁决定。

安华在答复中没有点名是哪个部门或具体事项，但他表示：“政府希望强调，各部委之间的观点或做法差异并不一定反映政府内部的分裂。”

“相反，它们是讨论和政策审议过程的一部分，其中考虑到了每个部门的职责、管辖范围和优先事项，以便有效实施马达尼政府的议程。”

总理表示，政府确保各部委之间有序协调，以保持政策一致性，避免职能重叠。他强调，所有决策都以人民利益、国家发展优先事项和政府财政能力为依据。

关于谁来决定官方立场，安华表示，每一项政府政策和决定都必须经过适当的审议和协调。他说，需要集体决策的事项会提交内阁审议并达成一致，这符合内阁集体责任的原则。

安华补充说，政府会持续监测经济表现，利用最新数据和指标来评估各项政策的成效。他表示，此举也是为了不断增强经济抵御全球不确定性的能力。他还说，政府将继续加强各部委之间的合作，并监督每一项举措，确保各项决策都能取得切实可持续的成果。

此前，公众对乡村及区域发展部的支出问题存在分歧，该部由副首相拿督斯里阿末扎希博士领导。

扎希德否认了有关该部超支21亿令吉的说法。在10月26日结束2027年财政预算案辩论时，他表示，该部在2023年至2025年期间实际支出61.08亿令吉，而修订后的拨款为61.43亿令吉，实际上支出有所结余。

扎希德对部里项目承包商的款项支付延迟表示担忧，称一些承包商由于现金流问题被迫停止运营，此事引起了人们的关注。

财政部秘书长拿督斯里约翰·马哈茂德·梅里坎后来将延误归咎于该部的支出承诺，并指出今年大部分农村道路项目拨款已经用完。

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